Maplewood Living

CITY’S OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

LIVING

JULY 2016

Maplewood Resident selected for MWGS Water Garden Society Tour

In This Issue 2 Council Corner 3 4 5 7

8

New Chief of EMS Energize Maplewood! Results GreenStep Cities Award New Theater Entertainment What To Do With Leftover Paint

A Huge THANK YOU to Maplewood’s July 4TH Partners & Sponsors MAPLEWOOD MALL

Costumes

Not just your ordinary

Halloween Shop 2839 White Bear Ave. N Maplewood (651)-748-1185

O p e n

Ye a r- R o u n d

Plus _

®

The Minnesota Water Garden Society (MWGS) will hold their 19th Annual Water Garden Tour on July 30 & 31 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm both days. The 2016 Tour has 13 sites filled with gorgeous water gardens, wonderful waterfalls and stunning streams, as well as beautiful “non-water” gardens. The Tour sites include a variety of water gardens: large and small ponds, pondless water feaSoothing sound of falling water tures and container water gardens. In addition to the water features, there are beautiful Koi, unique plants and creative garden art. These sites are residential properties built and maintained by MWGS members. The Tour is self guided and includes sites in Maplewood, Lake Elmo, South St. Paul, St. Paul, Rosemount, Richfield, Eagan, Woodbury and Bloomington.

A Maplewood resident, Allen Eldridge, is host of one of the sites. Allen’s site is located on a corner lot with a waterfall and pond in the backyard. In this pond you will find several very large Koi more than 20 years old. Along the backside of the house there is a paver patio with a view of the garden beds.

A local distributer and retailer of water plants, Cook Water Farms, will be selling water plants at this site.

20 year old Koi

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the days of the tour. Children 15 and under are free with a paid adult. Visit the MWGS website (www.mwgs.org) for tickets, garden descriptions, directions, and a detailed map. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (612) 803-7663.

The Minnesota Water Garden Society (MWGS) is a non profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to increase the enjoyment of and enthusiasm for water gardening though promotion, education and shared experiences. MWGS holds monthly meetings with presentations on a variety of subjects, sells water plants and fish, holds pond parties at members’ homes and sponsors a site at the MN State Fair.

For more information on the Tour and MWGS, call (612) 803-7663.

LIVING Elected Officials

Frequently Called Numbers

Nora Slawik: Mayor ........................................................(651) 738-7099 City

Hall

(651) 249-2000 Maplewood Community Center (651) 249-2230 nora.slawik@maplewoodmn.gov Recreation

(651) 249-2120 Marylee Abrams: Councilmember ............................ (651) 249-2000

Public Works

(651) 249-2400 marylee.abrams@maplewoodmn.gov Police Non-Emergency (651) 767-0640 Kathleen Juenemann: Councilmember .................... (651) 771-3670

kathleen.juenemann@maplewoodmn.gov Visit the City website at www.maplewoodmn.gov for the Melinda Coleman: City Manager ...............................(651) 249-2055 meeting schedule of the City Council, Commissions and Boards. melinda.coleman@maplewoodmn.gov Bryan Smith: Councilmember ................................... (651) 888-0085 LIVING To advertise in this newsletter call bryan.smith@maplewoodmn.gov Heidi Carey at (952) 212-7333 or email Tou Xiong: Councilmember ......................................... (651) 444-0531 heidi@careycommunications.org. tou.xiong@maplewoodmn.gov CITY’S OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

JULY 2016

Maplewood Resident selected for MWGS Water Garden Society Tour

In This Issue 2 Message From The Mayor 3

New Chief of EMS

5

GreenStep Cities Award

4 7 8

Energize Maplewood! Results

New Theater Entertainment

What To Do With Leftover Paint

A Huge THANK YOU to Maplewood’s July 4TH Partners & Sponsors MAPLEWOOD MALL

Costumes

Not just your ordinary

Halloween Shop 2839 White Bear Ave. N Maplewood (651)-748-1185

O p e n

Council Corner

Since my election to the Maplewood City Council, I have been very pleased to be part of real progressive change for our City. The Council adopted a gas franchise fee to help accelerate road repairs in our neighborhoods, voted to exit the Ramsey Washington Cable Commission so we could take on our own communication responsibility, and established Councilmember Abrams a first ever asset management program to help us financially plan for future repairs to City buildings. The Council created a task force to study Fire and EMS service delivery, and we have begun to implement their recommendations. Gladstone redevelopment is at last underway, and new businesses are popping up all over.

We are seeing a lot of interest from the business community, evidenced by City staff routinely fielding calls about redevelopment opportunities in Maplewood. Our City website includes a “Business and Development” tab where you can find a list and updates on the many projects underway in Maplewood. Recent development in the pipeline include the Hazelwood Medical Office building on Beam Avenue, Ebenezer Karen Baptist Church on Viking Dr., expansion of the Costco gas canopy adding six additional

2

/ July 2016

Ye a r- R o u n d

Plus _

®

The Minnesota Water Garden Society (MWGS) will hold their 19th Annual Water Garden Tour on July 30 & 31 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm both days. The 2016 Tour has 13 sites filled with gorgeous water gardens, wonderful waterfalls and stunning streams, as well as beautiful “non-water” gardens. The Tour sites include a variety of water gardens: large and small ponds, pondless water feaSoothing sound of falling water tures and container water gardens. In addition to the water features, there is beautiful Koi, unique plants and creative garden art. These sites are residential properties built and maintained by MWGS members. The Tour is self guided and includes sites in Maplewood, Lake Elmo, South St. Paul, St. Paul, Rosemount, Richfield, Eagan, Woodbury and Bloomington.

A Maplewood resident, Allen Eldridge, is host of one of the sites. Allen’s site is located on a corner lot with a waterfall and pond in the backyard. In this pond you will find several very large Koi more than 20 years old. Along the backside of the house there is a paver patio with a view of the garden beds.

A local distributer and retailer of water plants, Cook Water Farms, will be selling water plants at this site.

20 year old Koi

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the days of the tour. Children 15 and under are free with a paid adult. Visit the MWGS website (www.mwgs.org) for tickets, garden descriptions, directions, and a detailed map. Tickets can also be purchased by calling (612) 803-7663.

The Minnesota Water Garden Society (MWGS) is a non profit 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to increase the enjoyment and enthusiasm for water gardening though promotion, education and shared experiences. MWGS holds monthly meetings with presentations on a variety of subjects, sells water plants and fish, holds pond parties at members’ homes and sponsors a site at the MN State Fair.

For more information on the Tour and MWGS, call (612) 803-7663.

fueling stations, and the expansion of Costco liquor on the west side of the building, a tear-down and new proposed Taco Bell on County Road D just off White Bear Avenue, and the addition of Chick-fil-A on the north end of Maplewood Square near the Maplewood Mall.

The Council has made a commitment to focus on business growth in our community, recognizing stable growing businesses, create jobs, and insure prosperity for families.

It also contributes to our tax base. We have done more than give lip service to business growth and 12 City representatives have enrolled in a course through the University of Minnesota Extension Service. The course is called Business Retention & Expansion or BR & E for short. The 12 represent members on the City Council, City staff, and members of the Planning Commission. The course is eight weeks long and consists of online video, readings, on-linewebinars and even a paper due at the end. Yes, it sounds a lot like school, but the goal is to learn to better engage with our business community.

The 12 of us participating in the BR & E course will be identifying goals and objectives and conducting in-person meetings with our local businesses. We want to learn their needs and ways in which we can work together to benefit them and our community. I will keep you posted on our progress as we work through the course. We want to make it clear to everyone, “Maplewood is Open for Business!”

- Councilmember Marylee Abrams

Mike Mondor Promoted to Chief of EMS In January of 2016, the Maplewood City Council authorized the establishment of a Fire and EMS workgroup to study the current service delivery model issues being faced by the department. The goal of the workgroup was to study the delivery of Fire and EMS services and to identify opportunities for innovation and long-term sustainability.

Mike Mondor, Chief of EMS

The workgroup was established consisting of five Maplewood residents, Maplewood Fire Command Staff, a Firefighter Paramedic, a representative from the City Manager’s office and the Director of Public Safety. The group convened for ten facilitated meetings, each lasting for a minimum of four hours. Collectively, the workgroup invested more than 450 hours to study the current state of the city’s Fire and EMS service delivery model and explored potential new opportunities that may exist.

The fire department provided a tremendous amount of data to the group, which clearly outlined the challenges

currently being faced by the department. It was important that the workgroup look at other public and private Fire/EMS services delivery models for the possibility of partnerships. The group met with Regions Hospital/HealthPartners, St. Paul Fire, HealthEast and Alina Medical. Each of these groups provided the workgroup with what their capabilities were in developing partnerships with Maplewood Fire and EMS. The workgroup believed that the Maplewood Fire and EMS personnel are highly skilled and deliver great service. The workgroup outlined the following three priorities, community risk reduction, safe and effective fire response and to reduce the amount of time engaged in low acuity emergency medical responses. The group felt that by increasing the current level of partnerships that it would lead to a more sustainable way of meeting future Fire and EMS service needs. Additional staff time is necessary to further develop these partnerships, therefore, former Assistant Fire Chief Mike Mondor has been promoted to Chief of EMS. Chief Mondor, will be developing these partnerships to enhance and ensure long-term sustainability for Fire and EMS services for our residents and those who visit this great city.

prepare to Be Your Best Self...

maplewood community center membership specials AUGUST SEPTEMBER 2016

Purchase ANY Membership & Pay Just A $25 ADMIN FEE + Get 15% Off Family Programming

OCTOBER 2016

Purchase An Annual Membership & Pay NO ADMIN FEE

NOVEMBER 2016

Purchase ANY membership & Pay NO ADMIN FEE NORTH ST. PAUL RESIDENT SPECIAL: Take advantage of your Last chance to get resident rates!

DECEMBER 2016

10/20 Visit Pass Sale: $10 Off A 10 Visit Pass OR $20 Off A 20 Visit Pass

DECEMBER 15, 2016 JANUARY 2017

Purchase An Annual Membership & Pay NO ADMIN FEE + Get $50 In MCC Bucks

SOME EXCLUSIONS APPLY - VISIT CUSTOMER SERVICE TO LEARN MORE

2100 WHITE BEAR AVENUE • MAPLEWOOD, MN 55109 WWW.MAPLEWOODCOMMUNITYCENTER.COM • 651-249-2230

July 2016 / 3

Energize Maplewood! Team Energy Challenge Results

And the Winner is…

The Finny Finsters team with 320 total points took home the $500 grand prize! The Maplewood Community Center and Lamour teams had a close race for second place with 184 and 183 points, respectively.

The City of Maplewood would like to thank all of the teams for participating in the Challenge and helping the City meet its energy goals. Mayor Slawik participated in the Woodlands of Maplewood team and states that the “Challenge was truly an exciting way to encourage our community to take action”.

Mayor Slawik staying Energized! at the Energize Maplewood! Launch Party in January

For five months beginning in January, 12 teams came together to compete for the title of the “biggest energy losers” in the Energize Maplewood! Team Energy Challenge. The Challenge represented the first phase of the City’s energy action plan titled “Energize Maplewood!

A Community Action Plan for Carbon Neutrality.” The plan was developed by an energy action team made up of community stakeholders including business leaders, residents, city leaders, and staff in collaboration with Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy facilitators.

The energy action team developed the plan’s energy strategies by first examining community energy data. The data showed that approximately 37% of all the electricity and 54% of all natural gas is consumed by the City’s 15,000 residential Xcel Energy customers. The energy challenge was designed to drive participation in energy efficiency and renewable energy programs through increased awareness and competition.

Here is a quick summary of the fun and friendly team competition: • 97 households participated in the Challenge.

• Before the Challenge, 52 households had never participated in an energy program.

• By the end of the Challenge 23 energy program participation actions were completed such as Xcel Energy’s Home Energy Squad® visits, energy audits, insulation rebates, or signing up for Windsource®.

• There were 60 Energize Maplewood posts on social media that kept us up to date, real-time. Check them out at #energizemaplewood.

For additional details on team standings and Challenge results, visit www.maplewoodmn.gov/energychallenge.

What’s Next?

Look for the City’s next energy challenge this fall Energize Your Congregation! Maplewood and surrounding community congregations are invited to participate in the three-month challenge presented by Maplewood, Xcel Energy, and the Neighborhood Energy Connection. Congregations will earn points for energy actions taken by their parishioners at home and at church – and get prizes for winning! For more information visit www.maplewoodmn.gov/energizeyourcongregation.

GREAT SMILES START HERE! cleanings • sealants root canals • teeth whitening tooth-colored fillings in-office gum therapy • and more

• Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Enhanced Care

Call 651-770-4028 today to schedule a tour!

Call 651-770-4028 today to schedule a tour!

Independent Living

2365 Helen St. • North St. Paula tour!

Call 651-770-4028 today to schedule

4Independent / JulyLiving 2016 Assisted Living Memory Care

Assisted Living

Because the journey matters

Memory Care Enhanced Care

2365 Helen St. North St. Paul, MN 55109

Because the journey matters

1736 East Cope Avenue, Maplewood

(651) 770-3831 maplewooddental.com

MAPLEWOOD

DENTAL ASSOCIATES, P.A. DENTISTRY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Maplewood Receives GreenStep Cities Step 4 Award

Maplewood was presented with the GreenStep Cities Step 4 award during the League of Minnesota Cities Conference. From left to right: Councilmember Smith; Chris Swanson, Environmental and Code Specialist; Councilmember Juenemann; Mike Funk, Assistant City Manager; Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner.

Maplewood was one of seven cities in the state that was awarded the GreenStep Cities Step 4 award during the League of Minnesota Cities Conference in St. Paul on June 15. Step 4 is the highest achievement a City can receive in the program at this time.

Maplewood Welcomes Four New Firefighters

The three new part-time firefighters (from left to right) Adams Sauerwein, George O’Gara, Anthony Atwater and full-time firefighter Charles Lander

Maplewood fire welcomed three new part-time firefighters and one new full-time firefighter at a swearing-in ceremony held on June 13 at the City Council meeting.

Each of these individuals come to us with years of experience in both fire and EMS and they will be a great addition to the team.

Recognition in the form of “Steps” is given to cities as they complete sustainability best practices outlined in the program. The actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation. Once a city achieves the highest level of sustainability best practices outlined in Steps 1 through 3, Step 4 challenges cities to measure and report with numbers, the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple actions. The GreenStep Cities program coordinators are now designing the final recognition in the program – Step 5 – which will challenge cities to show improvement in the Step 4 metrics.

Councilmember Juenemann shared that “the Step 4 measures will continue to challenge us to take actions that will move the sustainability ‘needle’ forward.”

For more information visit www.maplewoodmn.gov/ greenstepcities.

Sustainable

Maplewood

July 2016 / 5

Illicit Discharge – Is Not Just About Oil Spills When Maplewood Public Works mentions illicit discharge, most people conjure up visions of oil leaks and illegal dumping. But an illicit discharge is any discharge to the storm sewer system that is not composed entirely of stormwater. The storm drains in your street lead directly to neighborhood wetlands, creeks, and lakes. The pollutants and organic matter carried along with the stormwater contribute to algae blooms and degradation of water quality. Illicit discharge may result from many different situations:

• Illegal dumping practices • Illegal connections to storm drain system • Connection of floor drains to the storm sewer • Failing septic systems • Improper disposal of sewage from recreational practices such as boating or camping • Yard waste and yard chemicals Homeowners are often surprised to learn that yard waste and lawn care chemicals that end up in the stormdrain are

Join Us for an Open House at Our New Office!

Saturday, August 6th 11 am -1 pm Enjoy ice cream, a balloon artist and some surprises!

Maplewood Pediatric Dentistry Claire Mielke, DDS Peter H. Mielke, DDS Board Certified Pediatric Dentists

651.779.9002 1915 County Road D East Maplewood MN 55109 MaplewoodPediatricDentistry.com

6

/ July 2016

considered illicit discharge. There are many potential sources of illicit discharge from yards, and all can be prevented.

Grass clippings and leaves. While mowing, be sure grass clippings fall in the lawn and not in the street. Consider adopting your nearest storm drain and keeping it free of leaves and debris. Decayed vegetation that enters our lakes contributes phosphorus, which provides nutrients that drive algae blooms.

Fertilizer and lawn chemicals. Sweep up fertilizer and pesticide spills, and use proper application methods, so these don’t end up going down the storm sewer to a local wetland or lake.

Car washing. Phosphates from soap contribute to algae blooms in our lakes. Use a car wash or wash your car on the lawn so the wash water doesn’t run down the drive into the storm drain.

Pet feces. Dispose of pet feces in the trash, never in the street or storm drain.

It is illegal to put anything except stormwater into the storm sewer. If you see or suspect an illicit discharge in the City of Maplewood, please contact Public Works at (651) 249-2400. For more information, visit: www.maplewoodmn.gov/435/Illicit-Discharge.

Maplewood Sounds of the City The City of Maplewood, in partnership with Ashland Productions, is proud to announce our lineup for the 2016/2017 Sounds of the City concert series. The lineup for this season’s concert series is packed with a diverse range of talent and styles! Whether you enjoy the pop rock melodies of G.B. Leighton, the a cappella stylings of Tonic Sol-fa, or the bluegrass crooning of Monroe Crossing, this series offers something for everybody.

All shows will take place at the Maplewood Performing Arts Theatre. A firstclass venue for concerts and performing arts of all kinds and located in the East Metro area, the Maplewood Performing Arts Theatre is one of the Twin Cities best-kept secrets. This beautifully intimate theater, housed in the Maplewood Community Center, 2100 White Bear Ave., seats up to 275 guests for concerts, theatrical productions, and more. Enjoy a night out at our elegant theater and experience an evening of original entertainment.

2016/2017 Lineup

Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016

Saturday, Oct.15, 2016 Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 Friday, Dec. 02, 2016 Saturday, Dec. 03, 2016 Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016 Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016 Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017 Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 Thursday, April 13, 2017 Saturday, April 15, 2017 Wednesday, May 10, 2017 Thursday, May 11, 2017

Pat Donohue & the Prairie All-Stars E Street Shuffle & Detroit Muscle: A Night of Bruce Springsteen & Bob Seger Sinatra & Company Takin’ It to the Limit: A Tribute to the Eagles Sherwin Linton Christmas Show Keri Noble Holiday Show Daisy Dillman Band - 40th Anniv. Show A Kat Perkins Christmas Steven C. Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience Chris Hawkey Maiden Dixie Tonic Sol-fa G.B. Leighton Deuces Wild An Evening of Bluegrass with Monroe Crossing

Tickets for all of our performances can be purchased online at www.ashlandproductions.com or by calling (651) 274-8020. Tickets for all shows go on sale 90 days prior to show date. All seating is reserved.

Tonic Sol-Fa

Shaun Johnson

Chris Hawkey

Deuces Wild

Kat Perkins

Monroe Crossing

Pat Donahue

July 2016 / 7

City of Maplewood 1830 County Road B East Maplewood, MN 55109 Phone: (651) 249-2000 www.maplewoodmn.gov

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #32324 Twin Cities, MN

********ECRWSS** RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

Upon request, this newsletter will be made available in an alternate format.

Printed on 10% post consumer product.

What To Do With Leftover Paint

Finished with your summer chores and have leftover paint? It is more convenient than ever to recycle paint in Minnesota. Since the start of the Minnesota paint stewardship program in 2014, PaintCare has set up hundreds of drop-off sites throughout the state where the public can take unwanted, leftover paint for recycling. These sites are at paint retailers (paint and hardware stores) and county household hazardous waste facilities that have volunteered to take back paint, and they are available free to any household and most businesses in Minnesota. The locations accept paint whenever they are open for business.

There are a few restrictions that apply. There are limits on how much paint can be dropped off per visit. Each dropoff site sets a limit and it is normally 5 gallons (some can accept more-call ahead). To learn more or find a drop-off site, please visit www.paintcare.org or call (855) 724-6809.

WOW EVENT

WAKEFIELD PARK • 1590 FROST AVENUE • MAPLEWOOD, MN • 55109

TOUCH - A- TRUCK FIRE TRUCKS • POLICE CARS • INFLATABLES • KID CITY BOOTH NATURE CENTER ACTIVITIES • DUMP TRUCKS & DOZERS • & MUCH MORE!

JULY 27 • 6:00PM - 7:30PM

Families are invited to this FREE event to come and see “up close” some of the vehicles that come and go through your neighborhood. A wide variety of vehicles will be on display for you and your child to explore. Bring your camera!

FREE ADMISSION • FREE HOT DOGS, CHIPS, & POP FREE EVENT - PLEASE CONSIDER BRINGING A NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM THAT WILL BE DONATED TO A LOCAL FOOD SHELF

Items accepted: These products have fees when you buy them and are accepted for free at drop-off sites:

• Interior and exterior architectural paints: latex, acrylic, water-based, alkyd, oil-based, enamel • Deck coatings, floor paints (including elastomeric) • Primers, sealers, undercoats • Stains • Shellacs, lacquers, varnishes, urethanes • Waterproofing concrete/masonry/wood sealers and repellents (not tar or bitumen-based) • Metal coatings, rust preventatives • Field and lawn paints Leaking, unlabeled, and empty containers are not accepted at drop-off sites.

FREE, PLUS PERKS! SERIOUSLY AWESOME CHECKING ACCOUNTS.

PLUS!

+ FREE + NO MINIMUM BALANCE + CASH PERKS + ATM REFUNDS + MOBILE DEPOSIT

Open a new checking account with direct deposit and earn $25.

CCCU.COM (651) 225-2700 1 800 223-2801 $25 bonus will be deposited into your account within 30 days of opening a new CCCU Checking with Direct Deposit. Federally Insured by NCUA.